It’s no secret that I often remind us of what’s wrong with Elvis World. I do it all the time. Whether it’s Mr. Potato Head , an auction house trying to sell the tools used to embalm Elvis for a buck, or the “Jesse” group insisting Elvis is still alive masquerading as his dead twin brother conning a doctor out of pain pills, we all know one thing. There are a lot of things wrong with Elvis World.

But, there is a flip side to every coin. There are some people making a serious difference in Elvis World and I feel it’s high time we take a look at them and give credit where credit is due.

The following is a rundown of some of the movers and shakers in Elvis World. The more I look around, the more I seem to see there is a plethora of people outside of E.P.E. (and on occasion even within) who are making a serious difference to help retain the artistic credibility and musical legacy of Elvis Presley with class, style, and honesty.

THE ELVIS INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you would like to hear from YOU. Why not send us your articles and your reviews and we will be more than happy to add them to our pages for other fans to read around the world. Share your thoughts and opinions about the latest Elvis releases that you have added to your collection and help your fellow fans to know what is hot and what is not the best things to spend their money on. You can do this by sending us an article/review (subject title "Article") to eer-desk@ntlworld.com

“Elvis International Magazine” is released four times a year, and what a treat the magazine truly is. Each issue is almost like a book itself. Printed on high quality thick gloss paper with a heavy duty cover, the magazine includes articles of substance and pictures we don‘t see everyday.

Not only is it well written but also features an incredible layout that appeals to all Elvis fans. The publication is first class all the way. The staff of Darwin, Kjell, Carol, Phil, and all the others are giving us some special with each edition.

Overseas a record label has made an accomplishment that not as many people are aware of as they should be. Speakers Corner have given new life to Elvis Presley vinyl, the once forgotten format that is making a huge comeback worldwide from everyone to indie rockers to audiophiles who want to explore Elvis the way he was meant to be.

On vinyl. And unlike other shoddy vinyl releases over the years, these are of the highest quality. Another bonus is that we are re-introduced to albums that are now dismissed and forgotten by Sony/BMG such as “For L.P. Fans Only” and “A Date With Elvis”.

The Speakers Corner releases are the closest thing you’ll find to the originals and well worth it.www.speakerscorner.de

THE MEMPHIS RECORDING SERVICE

Label head Joseph Pirzada shocked Elvis Presley fans with a honest and forthright interview on the Elvis Information Network when he let us know the ‘truth’ behind Sony/BMG and FTD regarding the Elvis Presley catalog.

MRS is the ultimate fan label run by a fan, MRS is a true beacon of hope in the future of Elvis Presley releases as they have time and time again given us something truly special.

Each release is almost a box set for a smaller price than the standard FTD fare and far more interesting. How many labels can offer you a vinyl “That’s All Right Mama” made off the original mother stamper in a gorgeous book /DVD Audio combo package ? None. And certainly not Sony/BMG or FTD.www.memphisrecordingservice.com

JOE KREN INTERVIEWS

Joe is the man in Elvis interview world. A fantastic interview site, each episode Joe gets to the bottom of his guest and doesn’t hold anything back. Cordial and respectful, he’s a brilliant conversationalist that leads the listener to believe his guests are enjoying their interviews. And these are always the best kind of interviews to listen too.

Joe knows what Elvis is all about if anyone does, and it shows as the program is the definition of 100% radio journalistic quality. If you haven’t listened to the immense collection of fascinating, insightful interviews, you are really missing out. On a final note, Joe wrote a book with Sue McCasland ” Elvis Live at Sahara Tahoe”.

Joe is also a guest deejay with Lee Dawson on Elvis Express Radio* every Friday for three hours of fun and music. Don’t miss it!

Kari, Cat, Susan and Darlene are well known on facebook and many know them for being a fun loving Elvis loving group of wonderful young ladies who in addition to their “Girls Gone Elvis Calendar” and Darlene’s work at the Elvis Honeymoon House, have taken on the task of launching Elvis Week in Memphis.And in doing so, have given us something incredible and cool in the process.

Where E.P.E. likes to offer bowling and treasure hunts as activities, these girls from California have come up with a much better idea. Recreating Elvis Presley’s performance at the Levitt Shell using Donny Edwards as Elvis followed by a big screen presentation of “Jailhouse Rock” is not only cool, but a monumental task to organize. Keep your eyes out for Pink Caddy Entertainment, I have a strong hunch we are going to be seeing more and more of them in the future. These girls are not afraid to take initiative and let you know they love Elvis. And they are not afraid to let you know why they love Elvis either.www.girlsgoneelvis.comwww.darlingpresley.comwww.pinkcaddyentertainment.comwww.elvishoneymoon.com

CORY COOPER - THE ELVIS EXPERT

Loved by fans and fellow researchers, Cory Cooper has been delighting us on radio for years. His consulting list is impressive and his personality makes him immediately likable. His extensive knowledge on the life of Elvis Presley in a loving and logical perception of how Elvis should be remembered and be held with the highest respect.

It’s people like Cory doing consulting and radio that reminds of the greatness of Elvis, and helps put an end to ridiculous rumors and myths that have ‘just become ingrained’ in the public conscious. We’re going to see big things for Cory in the future. He’s the pioneer of the Elvis Expert cannon, and that will not go un-noticed as the future tide shifts.

Cory’s website is under construction, but a quick Google, or search on youtube should enable you to find many links to radio interviews.

Cory has been a member of www.allexperts.com for a long time, and he is available for consulting, radio, T.V., and movies.You can email Cory at elvisexpert@aol.com

PATRICK LACY - ELVIS DECODED

As the 1980s and 1990’s went on, an unfortunate trend popped up in Elvis literature which had gotten to the point of ridiculousness. This helped in part leading to the sheer massive amounts of myths and misinformation in Elvis World. Citing these discrepancies and myths, Patrick set out to assemble these into a collection to decipher which became one of the greatest Elvis books ever. 2006’s “Elvis Decoded”.

It was high time to put rumors such as “Is Elvis Alive” or “Was there a body snatching plot hatched to acquire Elvis’ body after the funeral” to rest and by using fact based solid research he did just that. Patrick is in my opinion, the top researcher in the field of fact finding in Elvis World. The life and death of Elvis is something that fans and the American public at large have always been fascinated with.

It was high time to finally get down to the nitty gritty and find out just how accurate what we’ve been told in varying accounts is fact, fantasy, or just plain unknown. It was time to get people ‘thinking’ about Elvis. And Patrick is literary master at accomplishing this. His book, his website, and radio appearances are among the best in the world for anybody who wants to actually ‘think’ about Elvis.www.elvisdecoded.com

JAT PUBLISHING

JAT publishing gives us rare, limited edition books that are one of the best treats in all of Elvis World. Far more exciting than anything E.P.E. or Time/Life ever offers us, JAT gives us a look at the real Elvis and often chronicles severely important but forgotten pieces of Elvis history in beautiful high quality publications. Don’t miss these. Your collection is lacking without them. The hope with any new Elvis book is learn or see things we’ve never seen before. From what I can tell, every JAT publication does this.www.JATpublishing.com

THE ELVIS PRESLEY SCRAPBOOK - TONY STUCHBURY

There are many sites on the internet regarding Elvis Presley. These range from mine, to informative detective sites like www.elvisdecoded.com., news sites like www.elvisinfonet.com, and about a thousand others that can be about anything and everything Elvis. But the best Elvis sites are the ones that are a little bit different.

Photographer & researcher Tony Stuchbury has created a site that is like no other on the internet. It is a virtual scrapbook of his adventures in Elvis world. What makes it so unique is the layout, content, and continuity. Elvis Scrapbook offers fans a variety of things to gaze over and listen too. And this is not the ordinary run of the mill stuff you see everywhere else. There is no “Love Me Tender” shampoo, or “Swinging Hip Clocks”. This is REAL stuff for a real true blue fan or researcher.

The photography is excellent. Tony has a keen eye which he uses through the lens to capture images we’ve seen before, but also those we have not seen before. Regarding the first, his photography is far beyond what we’ve seen in the coffee table books and the Graceland souvenir photo section. The photos have a quality and an organic feel to them missing from many photos of Memphis and Tupelo ( and other locations) we’ve seen often. But Tony makes them just a little more special.www.elvispresleyscrapbook.co.uk

ALANNA NASH

Alanna Nash has emerged as one of the greatest writers in all of Elvis literature. Her knowledge and understanding of Elvis Presley has helped paint a portrait of Elvis the ‘man’ and not just Elvis the ‘image’.

Her books about the Memphis Mafia, Col. Tom Parker, and most recently the women who knew and loved Elvis (“Baby Let’s Play House) have broken new ground and provided us with information we never thought we would know. Her writing should be seriously commended and read by Elvis fans worldwide if they haven’t already. How would I describe her work? “Revolutionary”.

SOLID GOLD ELVIS

avid Petrelle has assembled one of the coolest recording and price guides I have ever seen! “Solid Gold Elvis” is an essential tool for both the researcher and collector. Something that other publications are not always able to do. The DVD Rom version is handy and excellent. Full color beautiful descriptions of basically every Elvis record or CD you can think of is present. Including the variations over the years.

But there is one true shining star that as a collector I will thank David for the rest of my life for doing. With extensive research and knowledge, he lists what these items ACTUALLY sell for! It’s no secret that “King Creole” is not worth $500 as it has been stated in other price guides. Other Elvis price guides seem as though they are almost designed to scare away new collectors, but David’s book invites you to enjoy in the fun and smashes the myth that every Elvis record is worth thousands of dollars.

The complete recording session info and concert dates round out the book, making it a solid piece of work all across the board. Highly recommended.www.solidgoldelvis.com

JERRY OSBORNE

Most collectors are familiar with Jerry’s “Presleyana” series and know he’s been the go-too guy for Elvis collecting for years. But there’s another side to Jerry that needs to be exposed to Elvis fans.

As a writer, compiler, and collector, Osborne has assembled two absolutely crucial books in Elvis world. Did you hear Elvis said something but can’t find it? Then you need to check out Osborne’s “Elvis Word For Word” where you can find out every word Elvis muttered in public during his years in the spotlight.

Jerry and Barbara Hahn are just about to release a monumental release in Elvis History with “Elvis Like Any Other Soldier”. A tough task, they managed to put together the most comprehensive book on Elvis Presley’s army service that I am aware of. Reviews straight across the board are high and deservedly so. It is a monster! And this monster will not sit in the closet waiting to strike, but quickly become well worn as you look at it time and time again.

www.jerryosborne.com

THE MYSTERY TRAIN BLOG

Ty over at the Mystery Train blog has assembled a great collection of Elvis reviews, history, and an enlightening and fun personal perspective. Ty deserves high praise for not pulling any punches and giving credit where credit it due. Plain and simple. His unique web style with sepia coloring gives a wonderful vintage theme to the site and makes it truly original. Excellent stuff! With very few Elvis blogs on the internet ( that are dedicated to “Elvis” and are not posing as nothing more than illegal download sites) , Elvis Revisited, Elvis Today **, and Elvis Decoded, and the Mystery Train are among my favorites.http://www.themysterytrain.blogspot.com

ELVIS INFORMATION NETWORK

Known by most as EIN, we don’t always agree when it comes to opinions on certain things, but there is one thing we can clearly agree on. EIN is the number one place for Elvis news. No question about it. It always has been and always will be.

When we want to know about something going on in every reach of the Elvis Universe, it’s a good bet EIN has the info. Everything from interviews, reviews, news updates etc. there is only one place that keeps us informed on everything and anything Elvis. EIN!www.elvisinfonet.com

So as you can see, Elvis World is not always all bad. There are some good guys and gals out there who have every intention of assisting in the credibility of Elvis Presley’s legacy being brought to the forefront with undisputed hard evidence that there was one King Of Rock And Roll.........Elvis Presley!

Note:* Elvis Express Radio will be in the second part of this feature.** The Elvis Today Blog will be featured in the second part of this feature